Automatic analysis device

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an automatic analysis device that makes it possible to prolong the life of a light source and stabilize a light amount in a short time before measurement. For that purpose, an automatic analysis device according to the present invention is provided with: a light source having two or more LED elements the wavelengths of which are different; an analysis unit that performs analysis on the basis of light irradiated to a reaction vessel; and a current adjustment unit that adjusts current amounts to be supplied to the individual LED elements. The current adjustment unit sets the current amounts for the individual LED elements in an unanalyzed state to values individually reduced with respect to the current amounts in an analyzed state.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic analyzer. [Background technology]

[0002] In an automatic analyzer that analyzes samples such as blood, the light source is one of the important components that affect the analytical performance. The light emitted from the light source passes through a reaction solution in which a reagent and a sample are mixed, is dispersed into a specific number of wavelengths by a spectroscope, and is detected by a detector. Conventionally, a halogen lamp has been used as a light source, but an automatic analyzer using an LED as a new light source has been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that during measurement (analysis), multiple LED light sources with different wavelengths are made to emit light in sequence and periodically, and that even during non-measurement such as standby state, multiple LED light sources are made to emit light in sequence and periodically to eliminate variations in the amount of light (paragraph 0093, etc.). Patent Document 1 also discloses that LED light sources with short wavelengths do not emit light during non-measurement because the time required for the amount of light to stabilize is shorter than that of LED light sources with other wavelengths (paragraph 0094, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-156105 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The technology described in Patent Document 1 basically controls multiple light sources to emit light in the same way whether they are measuring or not, so there is a possibility that the amount of current supplied to the light sources during non-measurement will be excessive, shortening the lifespan of the light sources. Also, the technology described in Patent Document 1 completely turns off some of the light sources during non-measurement, so there is a possibility that the light sources will not be stabilized in time when switching from non-measurement to measurement, which may affect the measurement results.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic analyzer that can stabilize the light intensity in a short time before measurement while extending the life of the light source. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an automatic analyzer comprising a light source having two or more LED elements of different wavelengths, an analysis unit that performs analysis based on light irradiated onto a reaction vessel, and a current adjustment unit that adjusts the amount of current supplied to each of the LED elements, wherein the current adjustment unit sets the amount of current for each of the LED elements in a non-analysis state to a value that is individually reduced compared to the amount of current in an analysis state. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic analyzer that can stabilize the light amount in a short time before measurement while extending the life of the light source. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of module connection of an automatic analyzer according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an optical system used in the automatic analyzer according to the embodiment and devices disposed in the periphery thereof. [Figure 4] 6 is a graph showing a transition of a current value supplied to a light source by a current adjusting unit according to the first embodiment after the start of analysis. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing from the start-up of the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment until the transition to a rack reception mode. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in a rack reception mode immediately after the end of an analysis by the automatic analyzer according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7A] 4 is a graph showing a change in the value of a current supplied to a light source by a current adjusting unit from a state in which the automatic analyzer according to Example 1 is powered off. [Figure 7B]4 is a graph showing the change in the amount of light from a state in which the automatic analyzer according to Example 1 is turned off. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing a light amount monitoring process in the first embodiment. [Figure 9A] 10 is a graph showing a transition of a current value supplied to a light source by a current adjusting unit according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9B] 10 is a graph showing a transition of a current value supplied to LED elements A and B by a current adjusting unit according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The configuration and operation of an automatic analyzer 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The automatic analyzer 100 performs colorimetric analysis using a biochemical reaction, as described below.

[0010] First, the overall configuration of an automatic analyzer 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment. The automatic analyzer 100 is composed of a conveying line 101, a rotor 102, a reagent disk 103, a reaction disk 104, a dispensing mechanism 105, a stirring mechanism 106, a spectroscope 107, a reaction cell cleaning mechanism 108, a nozzle cleaning mechanism 109, a control unit 115, an input unit 123, a display unit 124, and the like.

[0011] The transport line 101 transports a required amount of sample racks 111 holding sample containers 110 containing samples to a sample dispensing position 121. A dispensing mechanism 105 dispenses the sample from the sample containers 110 to reaction cells 112 (reaction containers) at the sample dispensing position 121. The transport line 101 is further connected to a rotor 102. By rotating the rotor 102, the sample racks 111 are exchanged between the transport line 101 and other transport lines 101.

[0012] The reagent disk 103 holds a reagent container 113 containing a reagent, and rotates and transports the reagent container 113 to a position where the dispensing mechanism 105 can perform a dispensing operation. The dispensing mechanism 105 dispenses the reagent from the reagent container 113 to the reaction cell 112 at the reagent dispensing position 122. The reagent is dispensed into the reaction cell 112 in an amount required for colorimetric analysis, and reacts with components in the sample to be analyzed.

[0013] The reaction disk 104 holds the reaction cell 112 and rotates and transports the reaction cell 112, which is the subject of each operation, to an operating position indicating the position where the spectrometer 107 performing colorimetric analysis, the stirring mechanism 106, the reaction cell cleaning mechanism 108, etc. operate. The reaction cell 112 is kept warm by a constant temperature medium such as water. This promotes chemical reactions between the components in the specimen and the reagent in the reaction liquid, which is a mixture of the specimen and the reagent.

[0014] The dispensing mechanism 105 aspirates a specimen to be subjected to colorimetric analysis from a specimen container 110 and dispenses it into a reaction cell 112. The dispensing mechanism 105 aspirates a reagent corresponding to the analysis target from a reagent container 113 and dispenses it into a reaction cell 112. The dispensing mechanism 105 includes an arm 118, a nozzle 116, and a dispensing mechanism motor 119. The arm 118 holds the nozzle 116 and a liquid level sensor 117. The nozzle 116 is connected to the liquid level sensor 117. The liquid level sensor 117 detects the presence or absence of liquid by a change in capacitance. A shield part 114 is installed near a position where the dispensing mechanism 105 performs a dispensing operation. The dispensing mechanism motor 119 moves the dispensing mechanism 105 in a vertical direction or a rotational direction.

[0015] The stirring mechanism 106 stirs the reaction liquid in the reaction cell 112 to promote the reaction between the analysis target components in the sample discharged from the sample container 110 to the reaction cell 112 and the reagent discharged from the reagent container 113 to the reaction cell 112.

[0016] The light source 120 irradiates the reaction liquid undergoing a chemical reaction while being stirred by the stirring mechanism 106 with output light. The spectroscope 107 separates the transmitted light that has passed through the reaction liquid. Based on the separated transmitted light, a colorimetric analysis is performed by measuring the absorbance.

[0017] The reaction cell washing mechanism 108 aspirates the reaction liquid from the reaction cell 112 after the colorimetric analysis has been completed, and discharges detergent or the like to wash the reaction cell 112 .

[0018] The nozzle cleaning mechanism 109 cleans the tip of the nozzle 116 of the dispensing mechanism 105 that has dispensed a sample or a reagent. This removes any residue adhering to the nozzle 116 so that it will not affect the next analysis target. The control unit 115 is composed of a processor, memory, etc., and controls each mechanism and device, etc.

[0019] The input unit 123 is composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, etc., and inputs instructions from a user to the control unit 115. The display unit 124 is composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) etc., and displays an operation screen and the like.

[0020] Next, a module connection example of the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a module connection example of the automatic analyzer 100 according to an embodiment. The automatic analyzer 100 includes an input / storage section 201, an ISE section 202 (electrolyte measurement section), a sample transport section 203, and a colorimetric analysis section 204.

[0021] The loading / storage section 201 is used for loading and storing the sample rack 111. The sample rack 111 loaded into the loading / storage section 201 is moved to the sample transport section 203.

[0022] Thereafter, the sample rack 111 is transported to the ISE section 202 via the rotor 102 (not shown in FIG. 2). In the ISE section 202, only items that do not use the light source 120 are measured. After the measurements, the sample rack 111 is returned to the sample transport section 203 via the rotor 102. The sample rack 111 returned to the sample transport section 203 is transported to the sample dispensing position 121 of the colorimetric analysis section 204.

[0023] After the reaction cell 112 is washed and a cell blank measurement is performed, the dispensing mechanism 105 performs a dispensing operation. Then, the colorimetric analysis unit 204 performs a colorimetric analysis using the light source 120. The details of the cell blank measurement will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0024] Next, an optical system used in the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment and devices arranged in its periphery will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an optical system used in the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment and devices arranged in its periphery.

[0025] First, the light source 120 is composed of two or more LED elements with different wavelengths. In an automatic biochemical analysis, there are multiple measurement items, and the wavelength of light used for each measurement item is different, and light of 12 wavelengths in the range of 340 to 800 nm is used for measurement. Conventionally used halogen lamps can output light of 12 wavelengths with one unit, but LED elements require the use of two or more LED elements that can output light of different wavelengths. The current value supplied to each LED element is set individually.

[0026] During operation of the reaction disk 104, light from the light source 120 is irradiated onto the reaction cell 112 passing through the photometry position between the light source 120 and the diffraction grating 304. In the mixed solution in the reaction cell 112, the measurement item component of the test sample reacts with the reagent, and a substance to be measured is produced or consumed in proportion to the concentration of the measurement item component. Note that between the reaction tank 303 and the reaction cell 112, there is reaction tank water (constant temperature medium).

[0027] Of the light irradiated to the mixed liquid, light with a wavelength in an absorption region corresponding to the substance to be measured is absorbed by the substance to be measured. The light transmitted through the reaction liquid is incident on a concave diffraction grating 304. The diffraction grating 304 separates the incident light into wavelengths and outputs the separated light to a photodetector 305. The photodetector 305 converts the amount of light into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal to an absorbance calculation unit 306. The absorbance calculation unit 306 calculates the absorbance based on the electrical signal output from the photodetector 305 and outputs the calculated absorbance to the control unit 115. The control unit 115 performs colorimetric analysis based on the absorbance output from the absorbance calculation unit 306.

[0028] When performing colorimetric analysis, cell blank water is dispensed into all reaction cells 112, and the absorbance of light at each wavelength from 340 to 800 nm is measured (cell blank measurement). The control unit 115 holds (stores) this measurement result as a cell blank value. The control unit 115 compares the cell blank value with the absorbance of the mixed liquid to be analyzed, corrects the absorbance, and outputs the corrected absorbance to a user interface (such as a screen displayed on the display unit 124) as measurement data.

[0029] The current detection unit 307 monitors (measures) the current flowing through the light source 120. The current adjustment unit 308 has a circuit that reduces the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 or turns off the power supply of the light source 120 at a timing that does not affect the analysis.

[0030] Here, when returning the power of the light source 120 from an OFF state to the measurement light amount for analysis, it takes about 5 minutes for the light amount to stabilize, which is a major problem for an automatic analyzer. Therefore, the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment has a function of maintaining an idle state in which it can immediately switch to the measurement light amount for analysis by adjusting the current supplied to the light source 120 with the current adjustment unit 308 and continuing control to supply a low current or pulse control without completely turning off the light source. EXAMPLES

[0031] The first embodiment is an example in which the current adjusting unit 308 performs control to supply a low current (a value reduced from the amount of current in the analysis state) when the light source 120 is in an idle state. Fig. 4 is a graph showing the transition of the current value supplied to the light source 120 by the current adjusting unit 308 according to the first embodiment after the start of analysis.

[0032] As shown in Figure 4, first, at time T 0 From time T 1 During this period, the automatic analyzer 100 is in a measurement state (measurement mode), and at time T 1 Then the system transitions to rack reception mode.

[0033] In this embodiment, there are a first standby mode and a second standby mode that can transition to an analysis state in a shorter time than the first standby mode as standby modes in a waiting state. The first standby mode is a sleep mode in which not only the dispensing mechanism 105 but also the cleaning mechanism and the reaction disk 104 are stopped. The second standby mode is a rack reception mode in which the dispensing mechanism 105 is stopped but the cleaning mechanism and the reaction disk 104 are not stopped. Therefore, in the rack reception mode, when a measurement request is received from a user, it is possible to move to measurement without performing pre-analysis preparation operations.

[0034] In this embodiment, two LED elements are used as the light source 120. When a measurement current value (first current value) is supplied from a power-off state, the LED element A takes a longer time to stabilize at the light amount at the time of measurement than the LED element B. For example, the LED element A emits visible light, and the LED element B emits ultraviolet light with a shorter wavelength than the LED element A. Therefore, at time T 1 When the automatic analyzer 100 transitions to the rack reception mode (second standby mode), the measurement current value I A1 Current value in idle state (fourth current value) I A2 The rate of decrease in the measured current value I B1 to the current value in the idle state (fourth current value) I B1This allows two types of LED elements with different stabilization times to be stabilized at the same time when switching to measurement mode.

[0035] Next, at time T 2 The automatic analyzer 100 stops the analysis operation and transitions to a sleep mode (first standby mode). At this time, the current value supplied to each LED element is set to an idle current value (second current value) I A3 , I B3 This I A3 , I B3 The value of I A2 , I B2 The measured current value I A1 , I B1 In the sleep mode, the measurement operation of the automatic analyzer 100 is stopped as described above, so the time from the execution instruction by the user to the measurement state takes longer than in the rack reception mode. As a result, in the sleep mode, the time until the light source 120 is stabilized is longer than in the rack reception mode, so the decrease rate of the current value is set large, and the load on the power consumption and life of the LED element in the standby state can be reduced. With such control, the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment can stabilize the light amount in a short time before measurement and extend the life of the light source 120.

[0036] Next, the process at the start-up of the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the process from the start-up of the automatic analyzer 100 according to the first embodiment to the transition to the rack reception mode.

[0037] First, when the user starts the automatic analyzer 100 (when the power supply of the automatic analyzer 100 is turned on), the control unit 115 executes the initialization mode (step S500) and simultaneously starts the light source 120 (step S510). The initialization mode is for performing the minimum necessary initialization and preparation for measurement, and the operations in the initialization mode include resetting the dispensing mechanism 105 and cell blank measurement. In this initialization mode, the control unit 115 causes the light source 120 to light up by supplying the amount of current used in measurement (supplying the measurement current value). Even in the initialization mode in which measurement is not performed, the light source 120 is turned on with the same level of current as in the measurement mode, so that the LED element is warmed and the light amount can be stabilized during the initialization mode. At this time, monitoring is performed to see whether the light amount during measurement has been reached (step S511). The detailed processing of the light amount monitoring will be described later. When the light amount during measurement has been reached, the initialization mode ends.

[0038] After the initialization mode ends, if there is no request for analysis, the control unit 115 transitions to the sleep mode (step S501) and simultaneously transitions the light source 120 to the idle state (step S512). In the idle state (non-analysis state), the current adjustment unit 308 reduces the amount of current for each LED element individually from the amount of current during measurement (analysis state). Specifically, the current adjustment unit 308 reduces the rate of reduction in the amount of current for the LED element B with a short wavelength to a value greater than the rate of reduction in the amount of current for the LED element A with a long wavelength.

[0039] Next, the user inputs an analysis request (measurement execution instruction) using the input unit 123. In response to the analysis request from the user, the control unit 115 starts a pre-colorimetric analysis operation (step S502) and supplies a current exceeding the measurement current value to the light source 120 (step S513). In the pre-analysis operation, rack transport, cell blank measurement, etc. are performed. When a certain time (for example, about 60 seconds) has elapsed since the control unit 115 supplied a current exceeding the measurement current value, the control unit 115 reduces the current amount to the measurement current value (step S514) and again monitors whether the light amount reaches the measurement light amount (step S515). When the light amount reaches the measurement light amount, the light source 120 transitions to a measurement state (step S516), and the control unit 115 starts an analysis operation (measurement mode) (step S503). In the measurement mode, the colorimetric analysis unit 204 performs analysis (measurement) based on the light irradiated to the reaction cell 112. When the analysis is completed (step S504), the control unit 115 determines whether or not the rack reception mode is set (step S520), and if so, transitions the automatic analyzer 100 to the rack reception mode. Here, since the time required to transition from an analysis request in the mode to an analysis state is shorter in the rack reception mode than in a normal standby mode (sleep mode), and the time to stabilize the light source 120 is shorter, the rate at which the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 is reduced is set to be smaller than in a normal idle state.

[0040] Next, the process in the rack reception mode performed immediately after the end of the analysis by the automatic analyzer 100 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the process in the rack reception mode immediately after the end of the analysis by the automatic analyzer 100 according to the embodiment 1. The user can select whether to enable or disable the rack reception mode.

[0041] First, the control unit 115 transitions the automatic analyzer 100 to a rack reception mode (step S600), and transitions the light source 120 to an idle state (step S610). When a user requests an analysis during the rack reception mode, the control unit 115 causes the automatic analyzer 100 to start a pre-analysis operation (step S601), and supplies a measurement current value to the light source 120 (step S611). After that, the control unit 115 monitors whether the light from the light source 120 reaches the light amount during measurement (step S612). If the light from the light source 120 reaches the light amount during measurement, the control unit 115 transitions the light source 120 to a measurement state (step S613), and causes the automatic analyzer 100 to start an analysis operation (step S602). After that, when the analysis is completed (step S603), the control unit 115 transitions from the measurement mode to the rack reception mode again (step S600).

[0042] Next, the overall transition of the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 of the automated analyzer 100 of this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 7A. Fig. 7A is a graph showing the transition of the current value supplied to the light source 120 by the current adjustment unit 308 from a state in which the automated analyzer 100 according to Example 1 is powered off. In Fig. 7A, the vertical axis shows the current I supplied to the light source 120, and the horizontal axis shows time T. Also, in Fig. 7A, the solid line shows the transition when the light source is put into an idle state before the start of measurement as in this embodiment, and the dashed line shows the transition when the light source is powered off until the start of measurement as a comparative example.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 7A, the time when the automatic analyzer 100 is turned on is set to time t0. At time t1 when the initialization mode starts, the current adjustment unit 308 sets the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 to a measurement current value (first current value) i1. Then, at time t2 when the initialization mode ends, the current adjustment unit 308 reduces the amount of current to a second current value i2 used in the idle state. The reduction rate of the amount of current may be set differently for each LED element (for example, LED element A is reduced by 50%, and LED element B is reduced by 30%). The period from time t2 to time t3 corresponds to the sleep mode, but the duration of the sleep mode differs depending on the usage status of the automatic analyzer 100. During the sleep mode, the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 is maintained at the second current value i2 in the idle state.

[0044] Then, at time t3 when the pre-analysis operation starts, the current adjustment unit 308 sets the amount of current supplied to the light source 120 to a current value (third current value) i3 higher than the measurement current value. This increases the temperature of the LED element, and shortens the time until the light amount stabilizes. Furthermore, at time t4, the current adjustment unit 308 reduces the amount of current to the measurement current value i1, and maintains that value while the analysis operation is being performed. Then, at time t5, the analysis operation ends, the automatic analyzer 100 transitions to the rack reception mode, and the light source 120 also transitions to the idle state. As described above, the rack reception mode immediately after the analysis allows the transition to the analysis state in a shorter time than the normal standby mode (sleep mode), so that a current value (fourth current value) i4 higher than the normal idle state is supplied to the light source 120.

[0045] After transitioning to the rack reception mode, if the next analysis request is made at a certain time (time t6 in FIG. 7A) within a time period previously specified by the user, the automatic analyzer 100 immediately transitions to the measurement mode. Accordingly, the current value supplied to the light source 120 is also changed to the measurement current value i1. On the other hand, if the next analysis request is not made within a time period previously specified by the user after transitioning to the rack reception mode, the automatic analyzer 100 transitions to the normal standby mode (sleep mode), and accordingly, the current value is also changed to the second current value i2 in the idle state.

[0046] Next, the overall transition of the light intensity of the light source 120 of the automated analyzer 100 of this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 7B. Fig. 7B is a graph showing the transition of the light intensity from a state in which the power of the automated analyzer 100 according to Example 1 is OFF. In Fig. 7B, the vertical axis shows the light intensity L from the light source 120 measured by the light detector 305, and the horizontal axis shows time T. Also, in Fig. 7B, the solid line shows the transition when the light source is put into an idle state before the start of measurement as in this embodiment, and the dashed line shows the transition when the power of the light source is turned OFF until the start of measurement as a comparative example.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 7B, at time t1 when the measurement current value i1 is supplied, the light intensity of the light source 120 gradually increases and eventually reaches the measurement light intensity l1. After that, when the supply current value decreases to the second current value i2 at time t2 when the initialization mode ends, the light intensity also decreases to l2. This light intensity is maintained until the standby mode transitions to the measurement mode in response to an analysis request from the user. Next, at time t3 when the measurement state is transitioned to, a third current value i3 larger than the measurement current value is supplied to the light source 120, and the light intensity increases to l3. As described above, the light intensity is stabilized by temporarily supplying a current amount exceeding the measurement current value i1. After that, at time t4, the current value decreases to the measurement current value i1, and the light intensity also changes to l1, and this light intensity is maintained during the analysis operation. If the rack reception mode is set at time t5 when the analysis operation ends, the supply current value decreases to the fourth current value i4, and the light intensity decreases to l4.

[0048] On the other hand, as a comparative example, when an analysis request is made at time t3 and a current amount of measurement current value i1 is supplied for the first time, it takes a longer time to reach the measurement light amount l3 compared to the present embodiment, and the light amount cannot be stabilized before moving on to the analysis operation.

[0049] Next, the light quantity monitoring of the automatic analyzer 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing the light quantity monitoring process in the first embodiment.

[0050] The time from when the measurement current value is supplied until the light amount of the light source 120 stabilizes not only differs depending on whether the light source 120 was in an idle state immediately before the measurement current was supplied, but also varies due to individual differences and usage conditions of the light source 120. Therefore, the control unit 115 of this embodiment has a function of controlling the current detection unit 307 and the absorbance calculation unit 306 to check whether the light amount from the light source 120 is stable.

[0051] Specifically, the current detection unit 307 monitors the current by detecting the current value of the light source 120, and the absorbance calculation unit 306 monitors the absorbance by calculating the absorbance based on the light transmitted through the reaction cell 112. Then, the control unit 115 uses the current value detected by the current detection unit 307 and the absorbance calculated by the absorbance calculation unit 306 to monitor whether there is an abnormality in the stabilization of the light amount.

[0052] 8, when a measurement current value is supplied to the light source 120, the current detection unit 307 monitors the current, and the absorbance calculation unit 306 monitors the absorbance at all wavelengths. The current value of the light source 120 detected by the current detection unit 307 and the absorbance calculated by the absorbance calculation unit 306 are sent to the control unit 115.

[0053] The control unit 115 judges whether or not the monitored current value is within a certain range of the set value of the current adjustment unit 308 (for example, within ±1% of the set current value) and the difference between the monitored absorbance value and the previous value is within a certain range (step S801-1). Here, the previous value to be compared with the monitored absorbance value is the latest absorbance value calculated before the measurement current value is changed to another current value. For example, in light intensity monitoring performed in the initialize mode (step S511 in FIG. 5), the last cell blank value calculated before the automatic analyzer 100 was turned off is set as the previous value.

[0054] In step S801-1, if both the monitored current value and the monitored absorbance value satisfy the conditions, the control unit 115 determines whether the standard deviation of the absorbance for all wavelengths in the cell blank is within a certain range (step S802).

[0055] In step S802, if the standard deviation of absorbance at all wavelengths in the cell blank is within a certain range, the absorbance variation is small, so if the automatic analyzer 100 is in the initialize mode, the control unit 115 ends the initialize mode and transitions to the sleep mode. Also, if the automatic analyzer 100 is in a pre-analysis operation, the control unit 115 ends the pre-analysis operation and starts the analysis operation.

[0056] On the other hand, if either the monitored current value or the monitored absorbance value does not satisfy the condition in step S801-1, or if the standard deviation of the absorbance for all wavelengths in the cell blank is not within the certain range in step S802, the control unit 115 judges whether or not a certain time has elapsed since the measurement current value was supplied (step S801-2). Note that in the initialize mode, the time until the light amount stabilizes is longer than when transitioning from the idle state to the measurement state, so the certain time that serves as the threshold for judgment in step S801-2 is also set longer than in other cases.

[0057] If the condition of step S801-1 is not satisfied, the control unit 115 returns to step S800, and the monitoring of the current and the monitoring of the absorbance are continued.

[0058] On the other hand, if the condition of step S801-1 is met, control unit 115 determines that there is an abnormality in the stabilization of the light source, and displays a system alarm on display unit 124 (step S801-3).

[0059] Next, the lifespan monitoring of the automatic analyzer 100 according to this embodiment will be described. The lifespan of the light source 120 is calculated based on the total period when the light source 120 is turned on at the measurement current value i1 in FIG. 7A. However, the current value supplied to the light source 120 is not always the measurement current value i1, and it is desirable to consider the lighting period when the light source 120 is OFF or when the current supply rate is reduced in an idle state. Therefore, the control unit 115 of this embodiment corrects the total lighting period by considering the period during which the light source 120 was supplied with a current amount reduced from the measurement state and the reduction rate. For this reason, the control unit 115 records the time and current amount during which the light source 120 is supplied with current. For example, when the light source 120 is in an idle state and the amount of current supplied is reduced by 50%, the control unit 115 records 50% of the actual lighting period as the lighting period after correction, taking into account the reduction rate. Then, the control unit 115 predicts the lifespan of the light source 120 based on the recorded lighting period and displays the time to replace the light source on the display unit 124, thereby enabling the user to know the timing for the provision of replacement service for the light source 120, which is a difficult task. EXAMPLES

[0060] Example 2 is an example in which the current adjusting unit 308 performs pulse control (alternately repeating a measurement current value and an OFF current value) when the light source 120 is in an idle state. Fig. 9A is a graph showing a transition of a current value supplied to the light source 120 by the current adjusting unit 308 according to Example 2. In Fig. 9A, the vertical axis indicates the current I supplied to the light source 120, and the horizontal axis indicates time T.

[0061] 9A, the time when the power of the automatic analyzer 100 is turned ON is set to time t0. Between time t0 and time t1, the light source 120 is in the OFF state, and the current value supplied to the light source 120 at this time is set to the OFF-time current value i0. At time t1 when the initialization mode starts, the current adjustment unit 308 supplies the light source 120 with a measurement-time current value i1.

[0062] After that, at time t2 when the initialization mode ends, the control unit 115 shifts the light source 120 to an idle state. When the light source 120 is in an idle state, the current adjustment unit 308 alternates between the OFF current value i0 and the measurement current value i1 to perform pulse control for the current value supplied to the light source 120. As described above, it takes more than 5 minutes to restore the light source 120 from a completely OFF state. For this reason, it is possible to shorten the restoration time by not creating a completely OFF state by pulse control as in this embodiment. In addition, the life of an LED element is influenced by the temperature during operation, and the lower the temperature, the longer the life. Therefore, the OFF time of the light source 120 is increased by pulse control rather than continuing to supply the measurement current value, so that the temperature drops and the life of the light source 120 can be extended. Furthermore, compared to pulse control in which the ON duration and the OFF duration are the same, pulse control in which the OFF duration is longer than the ON duration drops the temperature more, so that the life of the light source 120 can be further extended.

[0063] In addition, even if the OFF time and ON time are the same in pulse control, the longer the pulse period, the longer the life of the light source 120. However, if the pulse period is long, it takes a long time for the light amount of the light source 120 to stabilize. Therefore, in this embodiment, the period T I However, it is set to a value that allows the light amount to be stabilized in time for analysis and that allows the life of the light source 120 to be as long as possible.

[0064] Between time t2 and time t3, the automatic analyzer 100 is in sleep mode, and the current adjustment unit 308 maintains pulse control. Next, at time t3, the automatic analyzer 100 transitions to measurement mode. At this time, the current adjustment unit 308 ends pulse control, and supplies a measurement current value i1 to the light source 120. Furthermore, between time t3 and time t4, the automatic analyzer 100 is in measurement mode, and the current adjustment unit 308 maintains the current value supplied to the light source 120 at the measurement current value i1.

[0065] Then, at time t4 when the measurement mode ends, if the rack reception mode is set, the control unit 115 transitions to the rack reception mode, and the current adjustment unit 308 adjusts the period T II As mentioned above, in the rack reception mode, the time from the analysis request to the transition to the measurement mode is shorter than in the sleep mode. Therefore, the period T II is T I Instead of changing the pulse cycle between the rack reception mode and the sleep mode, the duration of the OFF period of the pulse may be changed.

[0066] Next, between time t4 and time t5, the automated analyzer 100 is in the rack reception mode, and the current adjusting unit 308 maintains the pulse control. At time t5 when the automatic analyzer 100 transitions from the rack reception mode to the measurement mode, the current adjusting unit 308 ends the pulse control and supplies the measurement current value i1 to the light source 120.

[0067] By performing such pulse control, this embodiment can also achieve both a shortened stabilization time of the light source 120 and an extended life of the light source 120. Furthermore, like the control of embodiment 1, the control of this embodiment causes the light source 120 to emit light continuously during measurement without cyclically emitting light, and therefore can be applied to an automatic analyzer with a short photometry time, such as an automatic analyzer using a post-spectroscopic method that processes a large amount of specimens by rotating a reaction disk.

[0068] Next, an example of performing different pulse control for each LED element constituting the light source 120 will be described with reference to Fig. 9B. Fig. 9B is a graph showing the transition of the current value supplied to the LED elements A and B by the current adjustment unit 308 according to the second embodiment. In Fig. 9B, the vertical axis indicates the current I supplied to the light source 120, and the horizontal axis indicates the time T.

[0069] The light source 120 has two LED elements, and LED element A takes longer to stabilize at the light amount at the time of measurement than LED element B when a current value at the time of measurement is supplied from a power-off state. A1 is the current value supplied by the current adjustment unit 308 to the LEDD element A, and I B1 is the value of the current supplied by the current adjusting unit 308 to the LED element B. When the light source 120 is in an idle state, the current adjusting unit 308 performs pulse control on the currents supplied to the LED elements A and B. The period of the pulse control performed on the LED element A is T A The period of the pulse control for the LED element B is T B As mentioned above, LED element A has a longer stabilization time than LED element B. Therefore, the period T A is the period T B By performing this type of pulse control, two LED elements with different stabilization times can be stabilized simultaneously.

[0070] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to shorten the time required for the light intensity to stabilize during analysis while extending the life of the light source. Furthermore, the function of monitoring the light intensity makes it possible to prevent measurements using abnormal light intensity. Furthermore, by monitoring the light source life under different usage conditions, it is possible to provide an optimal replacement service.

[0071] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes various modifications. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. It is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. It is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 101...transport line, 102...rotor, 103...reagent disk, 104...reaction disk, 105...dispensing mechanism, 106...agitation mechanism, 107...spectrometer, 108...reaction cell cleaning mechanism, 109...nozzle cleaning mechanism, 110...sample container, 111...sample rack, 112...reaction cell, 113...reagent container, 114...shield part, 115...control part, 116...nozzle, 117...liquid level sensor , 118... arm, 119... motor for dispensing mechanism, 120... light source, 121... sample dispensing position, 122... reagent dispensing position, 123... input section, 124... display section, 201... input / storage section, 202... ISE section, 203... sample transport section, 204... colorimetric analysis section, 303... reaction chamber, 304... diffraction grating, 305... photodetector, 306... absorbance calculation section, 307... current detection section, 308... current adjustment section

Claims

1. A light source having two or more LED elements with different wavelengths; an analysis unit that performs analysis based on the light irradiated onto the reaction vessel; a current adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of current supplied to each of the LED elements; The current adjusting section adjusts the amount of current for each of the LED elements in a non-analysis state to a value that is individually reduced from the amount of current in an analysis state.

2. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the current adjusting section makes a rate of decrease in the amount of current flowing through the LED element having a short wavelength greater than a rate of decrease in the amount of current flowing through the LED element having a long wavelength.

3. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, The non-analysis state mode includes a first standby mode and a second standby mode capable of transitioning to an analysis state in a shorter time than the first standby mode, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the current adjusting unit reduces a rate of reduction in the amount of current through the LED element in the second standby mode to be smaller than a rate of reduction in the amount of current through the LED element in the first standby mode.

4. The automatic analyzer according to claim 3, a washing mechanism for washing the reaction vessel, a reaction disk for holding the reaction vessel and moving it to a predetermined position, and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a specimen or a reagent; the first standby mode is a mode in which not only the dispensing mechanism but also the cleaning mechanism and the reaction disk are stopped; The second standby mode is a mode in which the dispensing mechanism is stopped but the cleaning mechanism and the reaction disk are not stopped.

5. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, When the power supply of the automatic analyzer is turned on, the analyzer goes through an initialization mode, a standby mode, and then an analysis state. The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the current adjusting section makes the amount of current through the LED element in the initialize mode larger than the amount of current through the LED element in the standby mode.

6. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the current adjusting section adjusts the amount of current to be supplied to the LED element in the initialize mode to be the amount of current to be supplied to the LED element in an analysis state.

7. The automatic analyzer according to claim 5, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the current adjusting section temporarily sets the amount of current through the LED element to a larger amount of current than that in the analysis state during the transition from the standby mode to the analysis state.

8. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, a current detection unit that detects a current value of the light source; an absorbance calculation unit that calculates absorbance based on the light transmitted through the reaction vessel; and a control unit that monitors whether there is an abnormality in the stabilization of the light amount using the current value detected by the current detection unit and the absorbance calculated by the absorbance calculation unit.

9. 9. The automated analyzer according to claim 8, The control unit of the automatic analyzer is characterized in that if the current value detected by the current detection unit is not within a certain range of the set value of the current adjustment unit even after a certain time has elapsed since the supply of a current amount in the analysis state, or if the difference between the current value detected by the current detection unit and the previous absorbance value calculated by the absorbance calculation unit is not within a certain range, the control unit outputs an alarm indicating that there is an abnormality in the stabilization of the light amount.

10. 9. The automated analyzer according to claim 8, The control unit outputs an alarm indicating that there is an abnormality in the stabilization of the light intensity if the standard deviation of the absorbance calculated by the absorbance calculation unit is not within a certain range even after a certain time has elapsed since the supply of a current amount in an analysis state.

11. 2. The automated analyzer according to claim 1, a control unit that predicts when to replace the light source, taking into consideration a period during which a current amount reduced from the analysis state is supplied to the LED element and a rate of reduction in the current amount; and a display unit that displays the replacement time of the light source predicted by the control unit.

12. A light source having two or more LED elements with different wavelengths; an analysis unit that performs analysis based on the light irradiated onto the reaction vessel; a current adjusting unit that adjusts the amount of current supplied to each of the LED elements; The current adjusting unit supplies current in pulses during a non-analysis state, and the OFF duration is made longer for the LED element having a short wavelength than for the LED element having a long wavelength.

13. The automated analyzer according to claim 12, The non-analysis state mode includes a first standby mode and a second standby mode capable of transitioning to an analysis state in a shorter time than the first standby mode, The automatic analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the current adjusting section makes the duration of the pulse OFF in the second standby mode shorter than the duration of the pulse OFF in the first standby mode.

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